NIRSA and the entire field of collegiate recreation are made great by the passion, drive, and dedication of some incredible individuals and institutions. Each year, NIRSA is proud to recognize a few of our extraordinary members with a variety of awards.
The Association would like to congratulate all our inspiring award recipients for their contributions to NIRSA and the profession!
Honor Award
The highest honor awarded by the Association, the NIRSA Honor Award is presented each year to a member for outstanding achievement in the profession. This year, the Honor Award, sponsored by Mondo, will be presented during the Opening General Session on Wednesday, April 17 during the 2024 NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo.
Award recipient
Bill Crockett, University of Maryland, Baltimore
See Related: Bill Crockett is the 2024 recipient of NIRSA’s Honor Award
Foundation Leadership Award
The NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award recognizes an individual or group that has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the NIRSA Foundation and its mission. The award recipient will be recognized during the NIRSA 2024 Closing General Session on Saturday, April 20.
Award Recipient
Brent Harrison, University of Oregon
See Related: Brent Harrison is the 2024 NIRSA Foundation Leadership Award recipient
William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards
The William N. Wasson Student Leadership & Academic Awards—named after NIRSA’s founder—recognize outstanding students who are actively involved with the department of recreational sports on their university or college campus.
Region I
Schuyler Capozzoli, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Shannon Colbert, Towson University
Chelsea Crane, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Chloe Kissinger, Millersville University
Jessica Matheson, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Region II
Lauren Ayres, James Madison University
Elijah Dale, James Madison University
Katelyn Gil, Georgia Southern University
Lauren Shutt, James Madison University
Abigail Townsend, James Madison University
Grace Young, James Madison University
Region III
Gabriella Fisette, Indiana University South Bend/University of Notre Dame
Morgan Losey, Western Michigan University
Nalani Lee Malackowski, University of Notre Dame
Ben Miles, The Ohio State University
Region IV
Justine Balconi-Lamica, The University of Texas at Arlington
Emily Schneider, Texas A&M University
Linden Settles, The University of Texas at Arlington
Region V
Hayden Bavis, University of North Dakota
Grace Charlesworth, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Ryan Larson, North Dakota State University
Ciara Nelson, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Region VI
Tayllor Johns, Northern Arizona University
Sarah Mebane, California State University, Bakersfield
Oshiogwe Nash-Haruna, University of California Davis
Ainsley Nommensen, California State University Bakersfield
Lia Reznik, University of California Davis
Canadian Region
No nominations were received
Horace Moody Awards
The Horace Moody Awards recognize an outstanding commitment to student development.
Region I
Andrew Havrisko, Rowan University
Region II
Caroline Ciell Richman, University of Florida
Region III
Drew Loso, M.S., University of Notre Dame
Region IV
Daniel Fragel, Oklahoma State University
Region V
Calvin Diggs, M.Ed., St. Cloud State University
Region VI
Elizabeth Seal, M.A., University of California Berkeley
Canada
Megan Locker, Brock University
Creative Excellence Awards
The Creative Excellence Awards focus on outstanding marketing and advertising materials published by NIRSA membership.
Audiovisual Promotion
First Place
Where You Belong Video
Stanford Recreation and Wellness
Second Place
We Are Virginia Recreation
University of Virginia
Comprehensive Brochure & Facility Publication
First Place
NCCU RecWell: On the Rise (2022-2023 Annual Report)
North Carolina Central University
Second Place
Health & Wellbeing Giving Guide
University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing
Integrated Marketing Campaign
First Place
You Belong at Bakke Campaign
University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing
Second Place
Recreation & Wellbeing Renaming and Brand Refresh
UC Berkeley
Large Scale Signage
First Place
History Wall at the Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
University of Wisconsin Madison Recreation & Wellbeing
Second Place
AFC Graphics Package
University of Virginia
Programming Publication
First Place
Youth Programs Summer 2023: You Belong Here
University of Minnesota
Second Place
CSU Rec Center One Sheet
CENTERS, LLC @ Cleveland State University
Social Media Campaign
First Place
Wes Anderson Series
Florida State University
Second Place
Dad Jokes: VT Rec Sports
Virginia Tech
Student Digital Presentation
First Place
InfoMarshalls
Florida State University
Second Place
UVA Rebranding
University of Virginia
Student Publication
First Place
Student Publication (Caitlin Crooker) – Event/Program Flyers
Savannah College of Art and Design
Second Place
Campus Recreation Guidebook
Missouri State University
Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award
The Campus Rec Innovative Programming Award recognizes the work happening in our recreation centers that is instrumental to student success, building community, and sharing the important message of health and wellbeing. Organizations applied in either the Open Division or in one of two Special Division categories: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion or Health & Wellbeing.
Special Division: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
First Place
NIRSA Rec Day Your Way
Georgia State University
Runner Up
Catamount Fit
Western Carolina University
Special Division: Health & Wellbeing
First Place
#YouMatterECU
East Carolina University
Open Division
Aqua Olympics
University of Northern Iowa
State of Play Series
Georgia State University
BEE Strong
Savannah College of Art and Design
Poplar Ridge Challenge Course Youth Ambassadors Exchange
University of Virginia
UCSD Recreation Trivia Nights
UC San Diego
First Gen Paddle
University of Virginia
NIRSA Outstanding Facilities Awards
The Outstanding Facilities Awards, sponsored by Mondo, recognize excellence in the innovative designs of new, renovated, and/or expanded collegiate recreation and wellness facilities at NIRSA member institutions.
Recreation and Wellness Center
Quinnipiac University
designLab & S3 Design Inc.
Wellness and Success Center
University of Houston – Downtown
SmithGroup
Esports Center
Penn State University
HOK
Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Kahler Slater & HOK
Recreation, Wellness, and Student Life Center
Universidad de Lima
Sasaki
Erie Hall Recreation and Wellness Center
Penn State Behrend
Sasaki
President’s Award for the Article of Distinction
This award recognizes excellence in writing from contributing authors to the NIRSA Recreational Sports Journal.
Award recipients
Kevin E.S. Wilson, University of Waterloo
Laura Wood, University of Waterloo
Ryan Snelgrove, University of Waterloo
For their article titled “If You Build it Will They Come? The Mediating Roles of Human Resource and Program Capacities,” which appeared in Volume: 47, Issue 1 of the RSJ.
NIRSA Annual Service Awards
The Annual Service Awards are presented in appreciation of the considerable volunteer efforts various NIRSA professional and student members have made to further NIRSA and the collegiate recreation field this past year.
Student Award
Elyse Standard : for exceptional leadership demonstrated while serving as the Chair of the first post-pandemic Region III Student Lead On
Professional Awards
Jason Vlastaras, Texas State University: for exceptional leadership exhibited during the creation of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education ESports Programs Standards
Jacob M. Eubank, Ed.D., CUNY Lehman College: for exceptional leadership exhibited during the revision of the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education Standards for Campus Recreation
Brittany Mueller, Florida State University: for outstanding commitment to the inclusion and integration of Special Olympic athletes in the NIRSA Championship Series
Maria L. Lauron-Ramos, CPACC, Princeton University: for exemplary leadership with the NIRSA Asian Caucus
Jonathan Johnston, CSAEd, CSAEd-CR, Texas A&M University-Commerce: for exemplary leadership as Chair of the NIRSA Championship Series
Stephanie Calhoun, University of Georgia: for outstanding contributions and leadership as the Flag Football Work Team Chair
Group Awards
Campus Recreation Essentials: Sports Clubs Authors
For significant contributions as an author of Campus Recreation Essentials: Sports Clubs
Adam Burke
Sheena Harvey
Andy Main
Domonique Sak
Laura Enquist
Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Collegiate Recreation Contextual Statement Editors
For exceptional dedication and effort demonstrated during the revision of the CAS Collegiate Recreation Contextual Statement and Functional Program Standards
Cindy Strine
Marci Iverson
CAS: Esports Standards Committee
For significant contributions made during the creation of the CAS Esport Program Standards
Antonio Gonzalez
Eugene Frier
Cindy Strine
Regional Awards of Merit
The Regional Awards of Merit recipients will be announced during the Regional Meetups happening on Friday, April 19 immediately following the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo education sessions. Join peers and colleagues from your region to help celebrate these members.
Juliette Moore People of Color Distinguished Leadership Award
The Juliette Moore Distinguished Leadership Award recipient will be announced and recognized during The Founders People of Color Social, sponsored by PLAE and Life Fitness, on Thursday, April 18.
Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award
The recipient of the Sarah Fain Distinguished Service Award will be announced and celebrated at the NIRSA Annual Conference & Campus Rec and Wellness Expo.
Stay tuned to NIRSA News for recap details
An additional article recognizing recipients revealed during the conference week will debut after NIRSA 2024. Award webpages will be updated with 2024 recipients in May.
Again, congratulations to this year’s NIRSA Award recipients—true leaders in campus recreation!
Rachel Marcella is currently the Membership & Leadership Coordinator at NIRSA.
